Dispenser and drink mixer



Feb. 26, 1952 L.. MYERS 2,585,980

DISPENSER AND DRINK MIXER [111111.11 all A1=@b.26,195.2 MYERS v '2,586,980

DISPENSER AND DRINK MIXER v Filed Jan. 12, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 ffm Patented Feb. 2'6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,586,980 DISPENSER AND DRINK vMIXER LouisMyers, Rockford, Ill.

Application January 12, 1949, Serial No. 70,501 z Claims. (ol. 259-321) The invention relates kto dispensing kmixed beverages containing powder such as malted milk.

In dispensing beverages containing powder such .as malted milk and other ingredients such as flavoring syrup, milk, and ice-cream, the ingredients are discharged in the container and then mixed to complete the beverage. This requires discharging the avoring extract. milk, and ice-cream into the container, then discharg ing a measured quanti-ty of powder into the container, and then transferring the container loaded with the ingredients to an electric drink mixer for completion of the beverage. A desideratum in these operations is to expedite vthe dispensing operation by close collocation of the powder dispenser and vthe mixer for transfer lof the container from the powder dispenser to fthe mixer. These devices 'are usually placed onbackcounters where available space is limited, :and another desideratum is to provide a combined powder dispenser and mixer which require cornparatively little space on the back-counter.

One object of the invention is `to provide a combined powder dispenser and drink -mixer mounted on a common base and in close proximity to each other for expediting and facilitating the manipulation of the container from the'powder dispenser to the mixer.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a powder dispenser of this type which is structurally closely associated with or between a pair of drink mixers, so that the container in which the powder is discharged 'may 'be quickly and readily transferred from the dispenser tcpeith'er of the mixers for completion of the beverage.

Another object of the invention lis yto provide'a combined powder dispenser and a pair of drink mixers which are installed on a common 'base which occupies little space and contains the mechanism for operating the measuring and discharge device for the powder.

Another object of the invention is to provide electromagnetically operated mechanism for operating the measuring and discharge device ofl the powder dispenser.

Another object of the invention is to provide electromagnetically operable Vmechanism for operating the measuring and discharge device for powder which is controlled by the placement of the receptacle into position to receive a charge of powder from the dispenser.

Other objects ofthe invention will .appear from the detailed description. y

The invention consists `in the `several 'novel features hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings- -Figure 1 is a front elevation of a, combined powder Vdispenser and `a pair 'of drink mixers, embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is la side elevation;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3--3 'of Figure .1;

`Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4pof Figure 3; y

Figure -5 is a section taken on line 5 5 of Figure 3; .Y

Figure 6 is a `section taken on line 6-.6 vof Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a `plan of the switch forcontrollin'g the solenoid magnet for .operating the measuring vand discharge device -of the powder dispenser;

Figure 8 is a vdetail illustrating Vthe 'device .for preventing retraction of .the device for operating the powder measuring and discharge device;

Figure 9 is a diagram of the-electrical circuits for the electric motors and the solenoid magnet.

The invention is exemplified .in Va combined drink mixer and powder dispenser which includes a hollow ibase |10, which .is provided with a Apair of upstanding hollow members vI2 on Veach .of which is mounted a .hollow vstandard I4 for a drink mixer. Anelectric-motor IB `is Amounted on the upper end :of each standard I4 and is provided with a depending shaft on the lower end ofy which agitators 20 are secured. These mixers `are-of the .automatic type in which placement :of the trim of :the container in a rspring-- pressed switch controlling hook 2| and the .bote tom of the vcontainer on a hook 23 starts the operation of the .motor and removal of the Scontainer stops the motor.

'The powder dispenser is `disposed 'between the standards II4 and is mounted .on :an upwardly extending member 22 centrally disposed between members I2 and integral with the ibase I0. The powder dispenser comprises 'a'base `23 on vthe top of the hollow .ups'tanding .member 2.2 of the base 'I0 and a .magazine or cylindrical jar 24, Vwhich is conined in the rim of the base 23, and extends upwardly therefrom. A removable `cover 28 'is provided `for the open top of the magazine 24. The magazine 24 which contains a supply of the powder to be dispensed, is `disposed in close relation to and between the standards I2 of thedrink mixers.

The powder dispenser comprising a measuring and disch-arge wheel 30 which is connected to an opstanding shaft-32 'for rotation therewith.

cell approaching the discharge opening will be separated from the mass in the magazine and discharged through said opening 36 during the succeeding operative step of the wheel 30. An

agitator 38 with upstanding outer ends 39 is held on shaft 32 so as to rotate therewith and is reA movably secured on said shaft by a Cotter pin 40. Each rotative step-by-step movement imparted to wheel 30 feeds the powder in one cell to the discharge opening 36. Shaft 32 is journalled in the wall 23 of the base member 22 and in a plate 44 which is removably ysecured by screws 45 on the rim of the base |0.

Mechanism for imparting unidirectional stepiby-step rotary movements to the measuring and discharge wheel 30 is removably mounted in the central portion of the hollowbase I and on the removable botto-m plate 44. This mechanism comprises a solenoid magnet which includes a coil.48 mounted in a laminated frame50 and an armature 54 slidably mounted in said coil. This magnet is mounted on an extension 46 of plate 44, and is adapted to impart the operative strokes to shaft 32 and wheel 30 by a pawl-and-ratchet device operable by armature "54. This device comprises a ratchet wheel which is connected to rotate a shaft 1| which is journalled in plate 44; an arm 64 pivoted to swing on the shaft a' link 58 is pivoted at 52 to arm 64 and at 30 to -a stem 56 which is iixed to the armature 54, and a pawl 66 vwhich is pivotally mounted at 68 on arm 64. Arm 64 is operated in one direction by the magnet and is retracted by a spring 16 between said arm and a stud 'I8 on plate 44. A spring i2 between arm 64 and pawl 66 presses the pawl into engagement with ratchet wheel 'l0 and permits the pawl to be ratchet retracted when the armature 54 is released.` A gear 80 is mounted on shaft 65 to rotate therewith and meshes with a gear 82 fixed on shaft 32. A resilient strip 55 is secured to the stem of armature 54 to prevent freezing of the armature. Each energization of the magnet will operate the armature 54 to impart a rotative step to ratchet -wheel i8, gears 80,- 82, and shaft 32 to rotate the discharge wheel one rotative step. A cam wheel 84 with cam members corresponding to the teeth on the ratchet wheel '|0 is fixed to rotate with shaft 65, and is engaged by a roller 8B which is journalled in a plunger 90. Plunger v90 is slidably mounted in a guide 92 and is urged by `a spring 94 to press roller 88 against the cam wheel 84. This cam wheel and spring-.pressed roller prevent retraction of the ratchet wheel 10, gears 80, 82, shaft 32, and wheel 30, and also -position the cells in said Wheel at the end of each opera-tion. The magnet and the pressure of roller 88 against the members of the cam wheel 84 during each actuation impart a sharp rotative step to ratchet 'I0 and the parts operated thereby.

The operation of the powder dispenser is automatically controlled by the placement of the container under the discharge opening 38. When the container is thus placed, the electromagnet will be energized to rotate the measuring wheel one step, and when the container is removed, said magnet will be deenergized for retraction of 4 the armature 51 and the pawl operating device. This control means comprises a push-button switch |00 which is mounted in an upstanding member |02 of a bracket |04, which is secured to the top of mounting plate 44. Switch |00 includes a forwardly spring-pressed slidable member |08 which, when pressed rearwardly, will close a circuit through the coil of the electromagnet and which when released or in its nor- "mal position Will interrupt. said circuit` A pushbu-tton ||0 is slidably mcuntedin a recessed portion in the front of base member 22 and has secured to its inner end a stirrup ||2. The inner end of stirrup ||2 engages switch member |08 to close the circuit for the electromagnet. Pushf button |f|0 is insulated at ||4 from stirrup ||2 and is disposed in vertical alignment with the discharge opening 36 in the bottom of the powder magazine. When a manually held container is placed under discharge opening 36 and pressed rearwardly, it will shift button |0 and stirrup v| I2 and close switch |00 to energize the solenoid `magnet and operate the powder discharge device. Whenthe manually held container has received a charge of powder and is removed, switch |00 Will be opened and the electromagnet will be de-energized.`

A pair of flexible vconductors |20, |22 supply current to the motors i6 of the drink mixers and the control switches therefor and to the coil 48 of the solenoid magnet for operating the powder dispensing device.. Branches |23 and |24 of conductors` |20, |22 are connected to the coil 48 of ,the solenoid magnet and to switch |00 for controlling the circuit for operating the dispensing device. These conductors are disposed in the hollow base I0.

The operation will be as follows: The manually gripped container4v with the. ingredients with which a charge of powder is to be mixed will be placed under discharge opening 36 and pressed backwardly against button Il to close switch |00 and the circuit in which coil 48 of the electromagnet is included. Armature 54 will be shifted to operate link 58, arm 54, pawl 66, ratchet 10, gears 80, 8|, shaft 32, and the measuring wheel 30 one step to discharge a measured quantity of powder into the container. The container will then be transferred to either of the drink mixers for completion of the beverage. The removal of the container from the dispenser will interrupt the electric circuit for the electromagnet and ,the retraction of the pawl 66 for operatingratchet 18. The spring-pressed roller engaging cam 56 will accurately spot the measuring wheel, so that the cells therein will be successively positioned over the discharge opening 36 at the end of each operative stroke.

The close association of the dispensing device with the drink mixers makes it possible to expedite a complete dispensing operation, including the delivery of a measured quantity of powder into the container and the mixing of the ingredients. The container may be easily and quickly transferred from the powder dispenser to either of the drink mixers.

In the construction illustrated and described, the mechanism for unidirectionally operating the measuring and discharge wheel 30 are mounted on bottom plate 44 which is removably secured to the hollow base I0. This provides for facilitating the assembly of the parts and for access thereto in the event that repair or replacement' becomesnecessary. Shaft 32 can be uncoupled -:from measuring Wheel 30 upon removal of agitator 32 and cotter pin 40. The lower end of shaft 32 may also be disconnected from the bottom plate 44 which can be easily removed from the base I0.

The invention exemplies a machine for the completion of beverages containing powder such .as malted milk, which minimizes the movements necessary by. the operator and facilitates the service. The operation of the powder dispenser is automatically controlled by manual replacenient of the receptacle into and out of its powderreceiving position. The receptacle can be quickly and readily placed in either o the drink mixers for completion of the mixing of the beverage. A common base for the mixers and dispenser is utilized for mounting the operative parts oi the dispenser. f

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modied within the scope of the' appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Anelectric drink mixer and powder dis penser comprising: a hollow base; a magazine for powder xedly mounted centrally on the base; a pair of drink mixers at the sides of the magazine, respectively, each mixer including a supporting standard xedly mounted on the base, an electric motor mounted at the upper end ci the standard and a depending agitator shaft; a powder measuring and discharge wheel in the magazine above the base; and mechanism mounted in and enclosed by the hollow base for imparting discharge strokes to said wheel, the magazine and agitator shafts being disposed in side-by-side relation above the base for the manual placement of a receptacle under either of the agitator shafts and the magazine, electro-magnetic means for operating said mechanism, and an electric circuit including switches for controlling the operation of the motors respectively magazine.

by placement of the receptacle on the standards and for actuating the electro-magnetic means by placement of the receptacle in powder-receiving position underthe magazine.

2. An electric drink mixer and powder dispenser comprising: a hollow base; a magazine for powder fixedly mounted centrally on the base; a pair of drink mixers at the sides of the magazine, respectively, each mixer including a supporting standard xedly mounted on the base, an electric motor mounted at the upper end of the standard and a depending agitator shaft; a powder measuring and discharge wheel in the magazine and above the base; mechanism mounted inand enclosed by the hollow base for imparting step-by-step discharge strokes to said wheel; an electro-magnet for operating said mechanism mounted in the base; the magazine and agitator shafts being disposed in side-byside relation above the base for the manual replacement of a receptacle under either of the agitator shafts and the magazine, and an electric circuit including switches for controlling the operation of the motors respectively by placement of the receptacle on the standards and for actuat ing the electro-magnet by placement 0i the receptacle in powder-receiving position under the LOUIS MYERS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

